Solara Wines

Based just outside of Timisoara in western Romania the Cramele Recas winery has been transformed since the early 2000s by Bristolian Philip Cox and his Romanian wife Elvira. Their 700 hectare estate is now one of the biggest producers in the country and they make a huge range of wines.

The combination of having extensive vineyards in an area with great terroir and that has cultivated vines back to ancient times and modern quality focused and efficient production methods has enabled them to produce excellent and good value wines that are now becoming more widely seen. They cultivate both indigenous and international varieties with great success from good entry level wines to premium cuvées that stand in comparison with any other region around the world.

Solara Rosé 2019

A great value fresh and fruity dry Romanian rosé. Romania has an ancient wine growing heritage and produces both traditional wines made with a blend of Merlot and the native grape Feteasca Neagra by Australian and Spanish winemakers on an estate owned by an Englishman and a Romanian. A soft mouthfeel with lovely strawberry and ripe red fruit flavours and balanced with crisp acidity. Perfect aperitif or lunchtime wine (by the pool).

Solara Orange 2018

A complex, textured and fresh Romanian white. This style is nowadays referred to as an 'orange' wine and is made by allowing the grapes to macarate on their skins as in red wine making. The result is a wine full of extra layers and complexity. This delightful Romanian example is made primarily from the indigenous grape Feteasca Alba with additional Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. With a deep colour it has rich quince aromas which lead to a structured and quite tannic character with subtle fruit flavours. For food matching these are wines that go well with robust meaty, even fatty dishes - an oxtail stew would be a good example.

Solara Natural Red 2019

A bright, light and fruity, natural 'Vin de Soif' (thirst quenching wine) from Romania. Made from organically farmed grapes and with little intervention in the winery this juicy red is almost Beaujolais in style. The whole bunches of grapes are left to ferment naturally in the winery over three weeks and the wine is bottled without filtration, fining or, unusually, the addition of sulphur. The results are a light red packed with strawberry, bubblegum and ripe red cherry flavours matched with refreshing acidity. The wine is best served chilled and glugged down to slake your thirst! A "glou glou" wine!